haven't any women in your life that think as much of you as I do. Sue and Maude and those girls are just companions. I'm a friend. Do you see the difference? Can't you tell me the real reason why you don't want a baby?"
Obviously, Edna had no self-consciousness about the silent blue-suited figure in the corner. She was talking to Dot, and she was desperately in earnest. Dot saw the earnestness shining through her eyes. It made Edna suddenly beautiful. Dot had a feeling that perhaps her mother would have talked so. She knew that Sue Cudahy in this position would have asked Edna just what business it was of hers. But curiously, at that moment, it seemed Edna's business. But for that silent blue-suited figure whom Dot had not forgotten, she might have told Edna that Eddie— But it was not to be thought of, and Edna had to have an answer.
"I don't—I don't want the pain of it," she said. Her eyes turned away from Edna and fixed themselves on space.
"Oh, Dot, you little fool."
Eddie laid his magazine down with surprising quietness. "Why is she a little fool?" he asked.
Edna was momentarily taken aback, so completely had she forgotten his existence.
"Oh, Eddie, she didn't mean anything by that." Dot was large-eyed and worried. An argument? Now? Just when she felt that she couldn't bear one more vexation.
"I meant that Dot was a little fool to consider the pain so seriously," Edna explained. "But every girl does that at first."
"Well, then, don't blame Dot for it," said Eddie.
"No, but you see," Edna went on, "that one night when the baby comes might be pretty bad, but it is gone in a few hours and you have your baby."
Nobody said anything for a minute. Dot was consider-
